Colorado Residents Swapped Grass for Xeriscaping

As statewide water restrictions tightened throughout 2026, homeowners moved to replace traditional lawns with drought-tolerant flora.

Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Landscaping

Screen-print poster illustration featuring native yucca plants and river stones, representing Colorado drought-tolerant landscaping. — Colorado homeowners are increasingly replacing water-intensive grass lawns with drought-tolerant xeriscaping as municipal water restrictions intensify throughout the state in 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Throughout the summer of 2026, Colorado residents increasingly removed grass sod to install water-wise landscapes as municipalities implemented strict irrigation limits. These changes were spurred by ongoing drought conditions and mandated water conservation goals.

Why it matters

The transition to water-wise landscaping helps residents comply with municipal bans while addressing the broader western water crisis. Many homeowners are also seeking to protect themselves from potential fines as utility districts intensify restrictions.

Nearly 10,000 residents across 70 communities utilized the Garden In a Box program this year to replace turf with drought-tolerant plants. In Lafayette, residents successfully reduced water use by 13% as of August 31, exceeding the city's 10% reduction goal.

The players

Denver Water

This is the largest water utility in the state of Colorado and provides service to approximately 1.5 million people.

Resource Central

This organization manages the Garden In a Box program, which provides residents with pre-planned, water-efficient plant kits.

The details

Homeowners are systematically removing sod and installing drought-tolerant vegetation, while many also adopt the soak-cycle-soak irrigation method to maximize water absorption. This technique involves 15 minutes of watering followed by a 45-minute pause before a second 15-minute cycle to prevent runoff.

April 10, 2026: Lafayette implemented Stage 1 watering restrictions.
May 2026: The Town of Erie began voluntary water cuts.
August 26, 2026: Denver Water officially amended its drought resolution.
August 31, 2026: Lafayette achieved a 13% reduction in water usage.
October 1, 2026: A total lawn watering ban takes effect for 1.5 million Denver Water customers.

Roadmap

Colorado Senate Bill 23-178 marks a significant shift in housing policy by legally shielding homeowners from HOA fines related to water-restricted landscapes. This legislation follows a pattern set by other western states moving to prioritize regional water security over traditional suburban aesthetic expectations.

Residents should prepare for the October 1 watering ban in Denver by adjusting automated sprinkler systems immediately. Homeowners in other municipalities should verify their local staging requirements to avoid potential fines, even if their lawns appear dormant.

The takeaway

Transitioning to drought-tolerant plants provides a long-term solution for maintaining home curb appeal during increasingly dry summers. Residents should consult their local water authority guidelines before making permanent changes to irrigation hardware or turf coverage.